Continuing to talk to each other about emotions and feelings is very important after an intense event such as now in Weiteveen. This is emphasized by Victim Support Northern Netherlands. Victim Support staff are present in the village these days. “We pay extra attention to teachers and students at Sint Franciscus primary school.”
One of the children of the couple who died in a shooting incident in Weiteveen on Tuesday attends this school. “We had many conversations with teachers at this school on Wednesday,” says Rik Tuin on behalf of Victim Support North Netherlands.
“We talked about what kinds of stressful situations can arise for children and parents and how you can best deal with them as a teacher.” In the near future, volunteers from Victim Support will remain involved in Weiteveen. “Anyone who needs it can come to us to discuss. That helps.”
During serious events in close-knit communities, Victim Support often sees that people suffer from physical and mental problems. “Think of stomach ache or insomnia. Bedwetting also occurs in children. Don’t avoid these things, discuss them. It is very logical that this happens.”
Victim Support is very pleased with the initiative of the Catholic Church in Weiteveen to open the church doors to anyone who needs a conversation about the events. “It is best to have these conversations in your familiar environment, with people who are close to you. That is why we prefer that primary school children can initially contact their own teacher.”